The fierce competition for Lotte's 5th selection, the winner's weapon is experience...I'm going to give you a chance
Mar 08, 2025
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Ahead of the opening game of the exhibition game against the KIA Tigers at Sajik Stadium in Busan on the 8th, Lotte manager Kim Tae-hyung said, `The 5th starter will be Na Kyun-an.'
Na Kyun-an, who joined Lotte as a catcher in the second round of the rookie draft (3rd overall) in 2017, has been pitching since 2021.
Na Kyun-an, who recorded 1-2 with one save and one hold ERA of 6.41 in 23 games in 2021, showed a little better performance in 2022 with a 3-8 record and two-hold ERA of 3.98.
In April 2023, he was named the monthly MVP with four wins, no losses and a 1.34 ERA in five games, and finished the season with a 6-8 record and a 3.80 ERA in 23 appearances that year.
He seemed to settle down as a starter for sure, but he remained 4-7 with an 8.51 ERA in 26 games last year. In particular, it has been a year of ups and downs, with 30 games suspended by the club due to privacy concerns.
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Na Kyun-an and Park Joon-woo competed for the remaining five starting positions. In the end, the winner was Na Kyun-an.
Lotte manager Kim Tae-hyung said, `He was the most experienced and prepared among the players who competed in the starting competition,' `Since he prepared well, I'm going to give him a chance first.'
Park Joon-woo was also well received, although he was pushed back in the selection competition. Director Kim said "Park Jun-woo got better. I'm going to check it out a little bit more." Rookie Kim Tae-hyun also improved his operational ability on the mound. However, Kim Tae-hyun raised his pace late due to hamstring pain during the spring camp. I'm thinking about whether to do the selection class in the second team or manage it in the first team.
Meanwhile, Ko Seung-min joins the fielder's side after shaking off his ankle injury. Ko Seung-min injured his ankle in spring camp and was treated in Tokyo, Japan. Ko Seung-min plans to train until the 8th, return home on the 9th, and join the team from the 10th.
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
